Key Takeaways:
- Real Madrid secured a 2:1 victory over Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the La Liga season at Santiago Bernabeu
- Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé scored for Madrid, while Fermín López netted Barcelona’s sole goal last night
- Barcelona finished the match with ten men following Pedri’s late red card and remain second in the table with 22 points
Match Analysis
Real Madrid emerged victorious over Barcelona with a 2:1 win at the “Santiago Bernabeu” in a fiercely contested opening El Clasico of the La Liga season. The clash was packed with talking points, including a pair of disallowed goals, a missed penalty, and a late dismissal that heightened tensions until the final whistle.
Key Moments and Major Incidents
Early in the match, a rough challenge from Alejandro Balde led referee Cesar Soto Grado to initially award Real Madrid a penalty. However, after consulting VAR, the decision was reversed and the scoreline remained 0:0. Shortly thereafter, Kylian Mbappé appeared to break the deadlock, but his goal was chalked off for offside.
When you win a Clásico ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/P0O9OfyueL
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) October 26, 2025
Mbappé continued to threaten and eventually made the breakthrough in the 22nd minute, dispatching the ball expertly into the bottom left corner to put Real Madrid ahead. Barcelona responded by intensifying their attacking efforts, with Torres and Rashford both squandering chances before Fermín López successfully levelled the scores after a composed finish in a one-on-one with Courtois.
As half-time approached, Jude Bellingham put Madrid back in front with a well-taken effort from close range. Vinícius then wasted an opportunity to extend the lead, while another Bellingham goal was disallowed for offside before the break. The sides reached the interval with Madrid leading 2:1.
Second Half – Possession, Penalty Drama, and Tempers Flare
Barcelona came out after the restart looking to dictate play, enjoying 65% possession and testing Courtois through another effort from Fermín López. The referee paused play during Barcelona’s next attack to assess a possible handball by Eric García. After a second VAR review, Madrid were awarded another penalty, only for Mbappé to see his spot kick saved by Wojciech Szczęsny, preserving Barcelona’s hopes.
Valverde exited the contest with an injury, while youngsters Yamal and Rodrygo provided new impetus, the latter coming on for an infuriated Vinícius who took umbrage at his substitution. Brahim Diaz, Carvajal, and Camavinga also entered the fray as managers sought to influence the closing stages.
Tense Finale and Closing Scenes
The final period saw a crescendo of drama, with a barrage of aggressive tackles leading to a yellow card for Dean Hausen. Pedri, already on a booking, committed another foul and was sent off, reducing Barcelona to ten men. The dismissal triggered heated exchanges between players and coaching staff, with the referee struggling for control as tempers boiled over.
Rodrygo missed a late opportunity for Madrid when he fired straight at Szczęsny, while Barcelona narrowly failed to conjure a late equaliser before the referee’s final whistle. Madrid departed the pitch with three crucial points and their place atop the table secure, while Barcelona were left frustrated both by the result and the fiery conclusion.
Standings Update
| Team | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | 27 | 1 |
| Barcelona | 22 | 2 |
With this victory, Real Madrid sit on 27 points at the summit of La Liga, while Barcelona, remaining on 22 points, continue to trail in second place as they await the opportunity for redemption in the next El Clasico.
